Devices and methods for treating the skin

ABSTRACT

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises a handpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece comprising a recess or cavity configured to receive a cartridge or other fluid container, a tip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece, the tip being configured to contact a skin surface of a subject during use, and at least one rollerball configured to extend to or near the tip, wherein the rollerball is configured to be in fluid communication with an interior of a cartridge or other fluid container secured to the handpiece, wherein the at least one rollerball is configured to contact the skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitate the delivery of fluids to said skin surface as the rollerball is moved relative to said skin surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/040,397 filed Jul. 19, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/354,754 filed Nov. 17, 2016 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,035,007 on Jul. 31, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/998,375 filed Dec. 23, 2015 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,498,610 on Nov. 22, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/096,493 filed Dec. 23, 2014, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/235,479 filed Sep. 30, 2015.The entire contents of each of the priority applications listed aboveare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates generally to skin treatment, and morespecifically, to apparatuses, systems and methods for treating aperson's skin using one or more rollerballs.

Description of the Related Art

Abrasion of the outer layer or epidermis of the skin is desirable tosmooth or blend scars, blemishes, or other skin conditions that may becaused by, for example, acne, sun exposure, and aging. Standardtechniques used to abrade the skin have generally been separated intotwo fields referred to as dermabrasion and microdermabrasion. Bothtechniques remove portions of the epidermis called the stratum corneum,which the body interprets as a mild injury. The body then replaces thelost skin cells, resulting in a new outer layer of skin. Additionally,despite the mild edema and erythema associated with the procedures, theskin looks and feels smoother because of the new outer layer of skin. Insome arrangements, skin can be treated by delivering one or moresubstances to the skin. In some instances, the application of suctionalong the skin surface can further enhance a skin treatment procedure.

Summary

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises ahandpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece comprising a recess orcavity configured to receive a cartridge or other fluid container, a tipconfigured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece, thetip being configured to contact a skin surface of a subject during use,at least one rollerball configured to extend to or near the tip, whereinthe at least one rollerball is configured to be in fluid communicationwith an interior of a cartridge or other fluid container secured to thehandpiece, wherein the at least one rollerball is configured to contactthe skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitate thedelivery of fluids to said skin surface as the rollerball is movedrelative to said skin surface, at least one suction conduit extending tothe tip, wherein the at least one suction conduit is configured to beplaced in fluid communication with a vacuum source to selectively applysuction to the tip during use, and at least one abrasive structure ormember located on, near or along the tip, the at least one abrasivestructure or member being configured to selectively exfoliate thesubject skin during use.

According to some embodiments, the rollerball is secured to a distal endof the cartridge or other fluid container. In some embodiments, therollerball is secured to the handpiece. In some embodiments, therollerball is secured to the tip. In one embodiment, the rollerball isin direct fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge orother fluid container. In some embodiments, the rollerball is inindirect fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge or otherfluid container. In some embodiments, the rollerball is in fluidcommunication with the interior of the cartridge or other fluidcontainer via one or more fluid conduits or passages.

According to some embodiments, the area proximal to the at least onerollerball comprises one or more vanes that increase an effectivesurface area of an area immediately adjacent the at least one rollerballalong or near the cartridge or other fluid container to help maintainfluids from the cartridge or other fluid container immediately adjacentthe at least one rollerball. In some embodiments, the assembly furthercomprises a porous member immediately adjacent the at least onerollerball to ensure that fluid from the cartridge or other fluidcontainer is placed in fluid communication with the at least onerollerball.

According to some embodiments, the tip comprises a peripheral lip,wherein the peripheral lip is sized, shaped and configured to contact asubject's skin tissue and generally form a seal along said skin tissue.In one embodiment, the at least one rollerball is positioned within aninterior of the peripheral lip and extends to a height below the heightof the peripheral lip. According to some embodiments, the cartridge orother fluid container is configured to be re-used during a subsequenttreatment procedure.

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises ahandpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece being configured toreceive a cartridge or being configured to be placed in fluidcommunication with a fluid source, a tip configured to be positionedalong the distal end of the handpiece, the tip being configured tocontact a skin surface of a subject during use, a rollerball configuredto extend to or near the tip, wherein the rollerball is configured to bein fluid communication with an interior of a cartridge or other fluidcontainer secured to the handpiece, wherein the rollerball is configuredto contact the skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitatethe delivery of fluids to said skin surface as the rollerball is movedrelative to said skin surface, and at least one abrasive structure ormember located on, near or along the tip, the at least one abrasivestructure or member being configured to selectively exfoliate thesubject skin during use.

According to some embodiments, the assembly further comprises at leastone suction conduit extending to or near the tip, wherein the at leastone suction conduit is configured to be placed in fluid communicationwith a suction source to selectively apply suction to the tip duringuse. In some embodiments, the rollerball is secured to a distal end ofthe cartridge or other fluid container. In one embodiment, therollerball is secured to the handpiece. In some arrangements, therollerball is secured to the tip.

According to some embodiments, the rollerball is in direct or indirectfluid communication with the interior of the cartridge or other fluidcontainer. In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises a porousmember adjacent (e.g., immediately adjacent) the at least one rollerballto ensure that fluid from the cartridge or other fluid container isplaced in fluid communication with the at least one rollerball. In someembodiments, the tip comprises a peripheral lip, wherein the peripherallip is sized, shaped and configured to contact a subject's skin tissueand generally form a seal along said skin tissue.

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises ahandpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece being configured toreceive a fluid container, a tip positioned along the distal end of thehandpiece, the tip being configured to contact a skin surface of asubject during use, at least one porous member configured to extend toor near the tip, wherein the at least one porous member is configured tobe in fluid communication with an interior of a fluid container securedto the handpiece, wherein the at least one porous member is configuredto contact the skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitatethe delivery of fluids to said skin surface as the at least one porousmember is moved relative to said skin surface, at least one suctionconduit extending to the tip, wherein the at least one suction conduitis configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum sourceto selectively apply suction to the tip during use, and at least oneabrasive structure or member located on, near or along the tip, the atleast one abrasive structure or member being configured to selectivelyexfoliate the subject skin during use.

According to some embodiments, the at least one porous member is securedto a distal end of the cartridge or other fluid container. In someembodiments, the at least one porous member comprises a wickingmaterial. In some embodiments, the at least one porous member is securedto the handpiece. In some embodiments, the at least one porous member issecured to the tip. In one embodiment, the at least one porous member isin direct fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge orother fluid container.

According to some embodiments, the at least one porous member is inindirect fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge or otherfluid container. In some embodiments, the at least one porous member isin fluid communication with the interior of the fluid container via oneor more fluid conduits or passages. In one embodiment, the tip comprisesa peripheral lip, wherein the peripheral lip is sized, shaped andconfigured to contact a subject's skin tissue and generally form a sealalong said skin tissue. In some embodiments, the cartridge or otherfluid container is configured to be re-used during a subsequenttreatment procedure.

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises ahandpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece being configured toreceive a fluid container, a tip positioned along the distal end of thehandpiece, the tip being configured to contact a skin surface of asubject during use, a porous member configured to extend to or near thetip, wherein the porous member is configured to be in fluidcommunication with an interior of a fluid container secured to thehandpiece, wherein the porous member is configured to contact the skinsurface of the subject during use and to facilitate the delivery offluids to said skin surface as the porous member is moved relative tosaid skin surface, and at least one suction conduit extending to thetip, wherein the at least one suction conduit is configured to be placedin fluid communication with a vacuum source to selectively apply suctionto the tip during use.

According to some embodiments, the at least one porous member is securedto a distal end of the cartridge or other fluid container. In someembodiments, the at least one porous member comprises a wickingmaterial. In one embodiment, the at least one porous member is securedto the handpiece. In some embodiments, the at least one porous member issecured to the tip. In some embodiments, the at least one porous memberis in direct fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge orother fluid container. In some embodiments, the at least one porousmember is in indirect fluid communication with the interior of thecartridge or other fluid container. In some embodiments, the at leastone porous member is in fluid communication with the interior of thefluid container via one or more fluid conduits or passages.

According to some embodiments, the assembly further comprises at leastone abrasive structure or member located on, near or along the tip, theat least one abrasive structure or member being configured toselectively exfoliate the subject skin during use. In some embodiments,the at least one abrasive structure or member comprises a ridge orportion comprising a sharp surface.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of asubject comprises conducting a first skin treatment procedure on asubject at a professional facility, wherein the first skin treatmentprocedure comprises skin treatment using a handpiece, the handpiececomprising a tip and a removable cartridge, the tip being configured tocontact a skin surface of a subject during use, wherein a rollerball isconfigured to extend to or near the tip, wherein the rollerball isconfigured to be in fluid communication with an interior of a cartridgeor other fluid container secured to the handpiece, wherein the arollerball is configured to contact the skin surface of the subjectduring use and to facilitate the delivery of fluids to said skin surfaceas the rollerball is moved relative to said skin surface, at leastpartially exfoliating a skin surface of a subject at the professionalfacility by moving the tip relative to the subject's skin surface,providing the cartridge or other fluid container to the subjectfollowing the first skin treatment procedure, and instructing thesubject to conduct a second skin treatment procedure following the firstskin treatment procedure, wherein the second skin treatment procedure isperformed by the subject, the second skin treatment procedure comprisingproviding delivering a volume of fluids from the cartridge or otherfluid container to a skin surface of the subject.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a third skintreatment procedure following the second skin treatment procedure,wherein the third skin treatment procedure is performed at aprofessional facility. In some embodiments, the subject brings thecartridge or other fluid container to the professional facility. In somearrangements, the second skin treatment procedure does not compriseexfoliation. In one embodiment, the second skin treatment procedurecomprises only fluid delivery to the skin surface of the subject.

According to some embodiments, the first skin treatment procedurecomprises skin exfoliation, wherein the tip comprises at least oneabrasive surface configured to at least partially exfoliate skin whenthe handpiece is moved relative to the subject's skin. In somearrangements, the at least one abrasive surface comprises at least onesharp surface along the tip. In one embodiment, the at least one sharpsurface comprises a spiral member extending distally from a base surfaceof the tip. In some arrangements, the at least one sharp surfacecomprises a post member extending distally from a base surface of thetip. In some embodiments, the cartridge or other fluid containercomprises a cap to protect the rollerball following the first and secondskin treatment procedures.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of asubject includes conducting a first skin treatment procedure on asubject at a treatment facility, wherein the first skin treatmentprocedure comprises skin treatment using a handpiece, the handpiececomprising a tip and a cartridge configured to be positioned along thedistal end of the handpiece, the tip being configured to contact a skinsurface of a subject during use, wherein at least one of a rollerballand a porous member is configured to extend to or near the tip, whereinthe at least one of a rollerball and a porous member is configured to bein fluid communication with an interior of a cartridge or other fluidcontainer secured to the handpiece, wherein the at least one of arollerball and a porous member is configured to contact the skin surfaceof the subject during use and to facilitate the delivery of fluids tosaid skin surface as the rollerball or porous member is moved relativeto said skin surface, at least partially exfoliating a skin surface of asubject at the treatment facility by moving the tip relative to thesubject's skin surface;

providing the cartridge or other fluid container to the subjectfollowing the first skin treatment procedure, and instructing thesubject to conduct a second skin treatment procedure following the firstskin treatment procedure, wherein the second skin treatment procedure isperformed by the subject, the second skin treatment procedure comprisingproviding delivering a volume of fluids from the cartridge or otherfluid container to a skin surface of the subject.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a third skintreatment procedure following the second skin treatment procedure,wherein the third skin treatment procedure is performed at a treatmentfacility. In some embodiments, the subject brings the cartridge or otherfluid container to the treatment facility. In some embodiments, thesecond skin treatment procedure does not comprise exfoliation. In oneembodiment, the second skin treatment procedure comprises only fluiddelivery to the skin surface of the subject.

According to some embodiments, the first skin treatment procedurecomprises skin exfoliation, wherein the tip comprises at least oneabrasive surface configured to at least partially exfoliate skin whenthe handpiece is moved relative to the subject's skin. In someembodiments, the at least one abrasive surface comprises at least onesharp surface along the tip. In some embodiments, the at least one sharpsurface comprises a spiral member extending distally from a base surfaceof the tip. In one embodiment, the at least one sharp surface comprisesa post member extending distally from a base surface of the tip. In somearrangements, the cartridge or other fluid container comprises a cap toprotect the at least one of a rollerball and a porous member followingthe first and second skin treatment procedures.

According to some embodiments, a skin treatment assembly comprises ahandpiece comprising a distal end, the handpiece comprising a recess orcavity configured to receive a cartridge or other fluid container, a tipconfigured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpiece, thetip being configured to contact a skin surface of a subject during use,and at least one rollerball configured to extend to or near the tip,wherein the rollerball is configured to be in fluid communication withan interior of a cartridge or other fluid container secured to thehandpiece, wherein the at least one rollerball is configured to contactthe skin surface of the subject during use and to facilitate thedelivery of fluids to said skin surface as the rollerball is movedrelative to said skin surface.

According to some embodiments, the rollerball is secured to a distal endof the cartridge or other fluid container. In one embodiment, therollerball is secured to the handpiece. In some embodiments, therollerball is secured to the tip.

According to some embodiments, the rollerball is in direct fluidcommunication with the interior of the cartridge or other fluidcontainer. In some embodiments, the rollerball is in indirect fluidcommunication with the interior of the cartridge or other fluidcontainer. In one embodiment, the rollerball is in fluid communicationwith the interior of the cartridge or other fluid container via one ormore fluid conduits or passages.

According to some embodiments, the assembly further comprising at leastone suction conduit extending to the tip, wherein the at least onesuction conduit is configured to be placed in fluid communication with avacuum source to selectively apply suction to the tip during use. In oneembodiment, the tip comprises a peripheral lip, wherein the peripherallip is sized, shaped and configured to contact a subject's skin tissueand generally form a seal along said skin tissue.

According to some embodiments, the assembly further comprises at leastone abrasive structure or member located on, near or along the tip, theat least one abrasive structure or member being configured toselectively exfoliate the subject skin during use. In some embodiments,the cartridge or other fluid container is configured to be re-usedduring a subsequent treatment procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentapplication are described with reference to drawings of certainembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, thepresent inventions. It is to be understood that these drawings are forthe purpose of illustrating the various concepts disclosed herein andmay not be to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6B illustrates perspective and corresponding exploded perspectiveviews of an assembly comprising a rollerball for use with a skintreatment system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a tip configured to be positionedalong a distal end of an assembly disclosed herein, according to oneembodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate different views of an assembly comprising arollerball for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly comprising awicking member for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a side view of an assembly comprisinga wicking member for use with a skin treatment system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a side view of an assembly comprisinga wicking member and a rollerball for use with a skin treatment systemaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 13A schematically illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a tipconfigured to be positioned along a distal end of a skin treatmentassembly;

FIGS. 13B to 13D illustrates different embodiments of the tip of FIG.13A having a wicking or other porous material positioned on and/or alongone or more tip portions;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a skintreatment assembly comprising fluid supply and waste containers attachedalong the proximal end of the assembly;

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a skin treatment system similar to thesystem depicted in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a system comprising a vacuumsource that is in fluid communication with a handpiece or other skintreatment device;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate different exploded views of a systemcomprising cartridge assembly located between the skin treatment deviceand a vacuum source according to some embodiments;

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a skin treatment system comprisingsensors along or near opposite ends of a vacuum conduit that places askin treatment member in fluid communication with a vacuum source;

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate different perspective views of an assemblycomprising a rollerball for use with a skin treatment system accordingto another embodiment; and

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate different cross-sectional views of theassembly of FIGS. 19A and 19B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the various embodiments of a handpiece assembly have specificrelevance to a skin treatment system, the features, advantages and othercharacteristics disclosed herein may have direct or indirectapplicability in other applications, such as, for example, medicaldevices, mechanical devices and/or the like. For instance, the variousconfigurations disclosed herein have specific relevance to exfoliationand/or other removal of the superficial layer of skin cells. However,the various systems, devices and methods disclosed herein can bemodified and/or otherwise configured for use with skin treatmentprocedures that target removal of deeper tissue layers, as desired orrequired.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an assembly 100 configured for usewith a skin treatment system. As shown, the assembly 100 can include oneor more components or portions that are configured to secure to oneanother. In some embodiments, for example, the assembly 100 comprises ahandpiece 110 that is adapted to receive a tip 120 along its distal end.The tip 120 can be revocable from the handpiece 110, as depicted inFIG. 1. However, in other embodiments, the tip 120 can be permanentlyattached to the handpiece 110 and/or can otherwise be integrated withthe handpiece 110, as desired or required. In some embodiments, the tip120 can be removable and disposable. The use of such removable tips 120can facilitate the use of the assembly (e.g., between differentsubjects) and/or can permit a user to customize a skin treatmentprocedure. For example, in some embodiments, the tip 120 comprises oneor more abrasive features, components and/or portions to help abrade orexfoliate skin as the handpiece is moved relative to skin. For example,in some arrangements, the tip 120 comprises one or more of thefollowing: one or more spiral members, cylinders, posts, grittysurfaces, other abrasive members or features, ridges, sharp edges,diamonds and/or the like. Additional details regarding the tips areincluded in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar.29, 2006 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,048,089 on Nov. 1, 2011, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

In other embodiments, however, the tip need not include any abrasiveand/or other components or features that are configured to abrade skin.Thus, in some configurations, the tip 120 can simply provide a mechanismor means by which fluids and/or other components are selectivelydelivered to the skin surface.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the handpiece 110 is configured toremovably receive a cartridge 140 or other container. For example, thecartridge 140 can be inserted within a corresponding recess of thehandpiece 110 (e.g., along the proximal end of the handpiece 110). Inother arrangements, however, the cartridge 140 or other container can bepositioned along any other portion of the handpiece 110. In otherembodiments, the cartridge 140 can be placed in fluid communication orotherwise fluidly coupled to the handpiece 110 and/or the tip 120.

For any of the assembly embodiments disclosed herein, depending on thespecific treatment protocol being administered to a subject, a cartridgecan comprise one or more of the following: skin tightening agents,platelet-rich plasma (PRP), exfoliation agents, peptides, bleachingagents, anti-acne agents, human growth factors, cytokines, solublecollagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, Epicatechin, Catechin and/orother phenols and/or other anti-oxidants, neurotoxins, serums, salicylicacid, other anti-acne acids and materials, microcapsules, capsules,other time-release products and substances, water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilution agents, dilutants ordissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothingagents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents,acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds,other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or anyother substance from one or more internal/external fluid sources.

Any of the assembly embodiments disclosed herein comprise at least onerollerball, a wicking, porous and/or other absorptive member and/orother member to facilitate the delivery of one or more fluids and/orother substances from a fluid source (e.g., cartridge, other container,etc.) to the skin surface being treated (e.g., via a distal tip of theassembly). A portion or area of the rollerball or other member can befluid communication (e.g., directly or indirectly) with the cartridge orother fluid source. In some embodiments, as the assembly is movedrelative to a subject's skin surface, the rollerball and/or other member(e.g., wicking member, other porous or absorptive member, etc.) contactsthe skin surface and rolls along the skin surface. In so doing, therollerball can advantageously deliver fluid from the fluid source (e.g.,cartridge, a manifold, etc.) to the tip and working surface along theassembly-skin interface. Accordingly, the rollerball and/or otherdelivery member can facilitate the delivery of fluids to the skinsurface during a treatment procedure as the assembly is moved relativeto such a surface.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rollerball can besecured within a housing or other retention assembly (e.g., of thecartridge, handpiece, tip, etc.), allowing it to rotate. The rollerballand/or other member (e.g., absorptive, wicking and/or other member) canbe removably (e.g., replaceably) or permanently maintained within aretention assembly or other portion of the assembly, as desired orrequired. For example, the rollerball can be removed and replaced (e.g.,to change its materials or other properties, to change it smoothness,texture or porosity, to change its size, to replace a damaged or usedrollerball, etc.). However, in other configurations, the rollerball orother member is configured to not be removed from the correspondinghousing or retention assembly.

In FIG. 1, the handpiece 110 of the assembly 100 comprises a centralopening 112 along its distal end 111. The opening 112 can be sized,shaped and otherwise configured to at least partially receive therollerball 144 located along the distal end 142 of the cartridge 140.Thus, in some embodiments, the cartridge is configured to releasablyengage the handpiece. The cartridge 140 and handpiece can be releasablysecured to one another using one or more attachment features, devicesand/or methods, such as, for example, a threaded connection, a frictionfit or pressure fit connection, a flanged connection, a rotatableconnection (e.g., comprising a recess and a corresponding tab), othermechanical or non-mechanical connections and/or the like. Regardless ofthe exact attachment or securement mechanism between the handpiece andthe cartridge, once the cartridge has been adequately positionedrelative to the handpiece, the rollerball 144 can be configured toextend at least partially along the distal end of the handpiece 110. Insome arrangements, the cartridge or other container 140 comprises adummy cartridge that is configured to be placed in fluid communicationwith a fluid delivery system (e.g., a manifold-based system). Thus, insuch configurations, fluid from one or more fluid sources can beselectively delivered to the cartridge 140 and to the distal end (e.g.,tip 120) using one or more fluid conduits, as desired or required.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the distal tip 120 can be configuredto be removably secured to the handpiece 110 (e.g., along the distal end111 of the handpiece 110 and the proximal end 123 of the tip 120. Aswith any other connections between adjacent components or portions ofthe assembly 100, one or more O-rings 113 or other sealing members canbe positioned along the interface of the tip 120 and the handpiece 110(e.g., to prevent or reduce the likelihood of leaks), in accordance witha desired or required arrangement.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the tip 120 can include a central opening 122along its distal end that coincides with (e.g., shares the samelongitudinal axis as) the rollerball 144 and the opening 112 of thehandpiece 110. Thus, when the assembly 100 is properly assembled orotherwise put together, the rollerball 144 can be adjacent the areadefined by the central opening 122 of the tip 120. In some embodiments,the tip comprises a peripheral lip 124 that circumscribes a central area(e.g., an area at least partially defined by the central opening 122 ofthe tip 120). Further, the rollerball 144 can be sized, shaped andotherwise configured to be positioned within the central areacircumscribed by the lip 124 of the tip 120. In some arrangements, thedistal end of the rollerball 144 is recessed relative to the distal endof the tip's lip 124. However, in other configurations, the distal endof the rollerball 144 can be aligned with or generally aligned with thedistal end of the lip 124 of the tip 120, as desired or required.

According to some embodiments, as discussed in greater detail herein,the assembly 100 is configured to be selectively coupled to a vacuum orsuction source. Thus, the tip, handpiece, cartridge or other fluidsource and/or any other portion of the assembly 100 can include one ormore fluid passages, openings, ports, valves and/or any other featuresto enable the vacuum or suction capabilities of the assembly 100. Forexample, the tip can include one or more suction ports that are alignedwith one or more fluid conduits (e.g., internal and/or externalpassages) of the handpiece 110. As discussed in greater detail herein,any of the disclosed embodiments can include one or more features (e.g.,peripheral lip, interior feature such as posts or cylindrical members,spiral members, abrasive pad or members, and/or the like) that areconfigured to selectively abrade tissue. For example, in any of theembodiments, the peripheral lip 124 can be configured to at leastpartially abrade and/or otherwise remove skin tissue when the handpieceassembly is moved relative to the skin surface.

Regardless of the exact fluid components that an assembly 100 comprisesto enable it to selectively deliver a vacuum or suction force to the tip120, the selective activation of such suction or vacuum can facilitate askin treatment procedure and/or the use of the assembly. For example, insome embodiments, the use of suction can help with the delivery offluids from a fluid source to the tip. In some embodiments, the use ofvacuum can help create a seal between a periphery (e.g., lip) of the tipand the skin tissue, which in turn, can help with the delivery of fluidsto the skin interface. As noted above, the use of a lip and/or any otherinterior members can assist with the at least partial abrading of tissuewhen the handpiece assembly is moved relative to a skin surface (e.g.,especially when vacuum is being applied to the tip).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the cartridge, containeror other fluid source 140 can be configured to be re-used over a periodof time. For example, the distal end 142 of the cartridge 140 can beprotected between uses by a cap or other sealing member 150. Thus, therollerball 144 of the cartridge 140 can be protected when not in use.The cartridge 140 can be re-used between various treatment procedures bya professional. In some embodiments, the cartridge 140 can be providedto the subject for application of fluid at home between visits to aprofessional.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein or variations thereof, thetip and/or the entire handpiece assembly (e.g., especially inarrangements where the tip is not removable from the rest of thehandpiece assembly) can be disposable. Thus, the tip can be configuredfor a single use prior to disposal. Accordingly, the tip can include oneor more thermoplastic and/or other materials that are well suited for asingle use application. Alternatively, the tip and/or other componentsof the assembly can include one or more metals, alloys, other rigidand/or semi-rigid materials and/or other materials that enable a user tore-use such items, as desired or required. For example, metallic and/oralloy-based tips (e.g., comprising stainless steel, titanium, platinum,etc.) can be configured to be autoclaved and/or otherwise sterilizedbetween uses.

FIG. 1 illustrates the device being capped along its distal end using acap or other enclosure 150. As shown, such a cap or other enclosure 150can help isolate the rollerball and/or other distal member (e.g.,wicking member, absorptive member, etc.) from the surroundingenvironment. This can be helpful when the handpiece assembly 100 is notin use to ensure that contaminants and/or other substances do not taintthe rollerball, another member that facilitates delivery of fluidsand/or other materials to the tip and/or other portion of the distal endof the assembly 100 that may contact a targeted skin surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates a different embodiment of an assembly 200 configuredfor skin treatment. The assembly 200 is similar to the one depicted inFIG. 1 and described above; however, the rollerball 214 in the assembly200 of FIG. 2 is positioned along the distal end 212 of the handpiece210, instead of the cartridge 240. As with other embodiments disclosedand illustrated herein, the handpiece can be configured to receive a tip220 along the distal end 212 of the handpiece 210. The distal end 212 ofthe handpiece 210 with the rollerball 214 can be configured to passthrough the interior of the tip 220 and extend toward a central opening222 of the tip. Thus, as the assembly 200 is moved relative to a skinsurface, the rollerball 214 can at least partially engage the skinsurface, and with movement along such skin surface, can help deliverfluids from a cartridge or other fluid source 240 to the subject's skin.As discussed above with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1, the delivery of fluids to the skin surface can be facilitated, incertain configurations, with the application of suction or vacuum. Inaddition, the cartridge, container or other fluid source 240 can includea cap or other enclosure member 250 that is configured to be secured tothe distal end of the cartridge 240. Although in the depictedarrangement the cartridge 240 does not include a rollerball along itsdistal end, the cap 250 can ensure that the contents of the cartridgeand/or other portions of the cartridge 240 that may be exposed tocontamination are kept clean and are otherwise protected between uses.

Further, as noted above, the tip 220 can include one or more abrasivefeatures, surfaces and/or the like such that when the tip is movedrelative to a targeted skin surface (e.g., especially upon activation ofa vacuum source that draws the tip toward and/or engaged with thetargeted skin surface), at least portions of the targeted skin surfacecan be selectively abraded or otherwise removed. For example, in somearrangements, the peripheral lip of the tip 220 can be configured to atleast partially abrade or otherwise remove skin tissue when the assembly200 is moved relative to a subject's skin surface. Such abrasivefeatures or designs can be incorporated into any embodiments disclosedherein or variations thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of yet anotherembodiment of an assembly 300 that can be used to perform a skintreatment procedure. As shown, and similar to other configurationsdepicted herein, the assembly 300 can comprise a cartridge 340, ahandpiece 310 that is sized, shaped and otherwise configured to receivea cartridge and a distal tip 320. The various components of the assembly300 can be configured to removably secure to each other. However, inother embodiments, the two or more of the components can be permanentlyor semi-permanently secured to each other (e.g., so as to form amonolithic or unitary structure). Such a configuration, wherein two ormore portions form a unitary or monolithic structure, can beincorporated into any of the embodiments disclosed herein or variationsthereof.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, unlike the configurations depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2, the rollerball and/or other member (e.g., absorptivemember, wicking member, porous member, etc.) 324 is positioned along thetip 320. Thus, in some embodiments, the rollerball 324 is configured tobe in fluid communication, directly or indirectly, with an internalreservoir or other fluid-containing portion of the cartridge, containeror other fluid source 340. For example, in some arrangements, therollerball 324 of the tip 320 is configured to receive fluid from thecartridge 320 via one or more passages, channels or other intermediatefluid reservoirs or members that extend at least partially from thecartridge 340 to the tip 320. As with other embodiments disclosedherein, the cartridge 340 can be re-used in different treatmentprocedures. For example, the subject can be provided with any unusedcartridges 340 following a visit to a professional. Thus, depending onthe particular skin treatment protocol being used, the subject cansimply bring one or more unused cartridges 340 to the next scheduledtreatment procedure and/or can be apply certain fluids to his or herskin between visits, as desired or required by a particular treatmentprotocol.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an assembly 400 thatis a variation of the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1. As in FIG. 1, thedepicted assembly 400 comprises a cartridge 440 having a rollerball 444along its distal end. The cartridge, container or other fluid source 440is sized, shaped and otherwise configured to be inserted and secured, atleast partially, within a corresponding recess or opening along theproximal end of a handpiece 410. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, therollerball 444 along the distal end of the cartridge, container or otherfluid source 440 can extend to, near and/or past the distal opening 412of the handpiece 410. Accordingly, as the assembly 400 is moved relativeto a skin surface of a subject, the rollerball 444 can at leastpartially contact the skin surface and rotate, thereby drawing outfluid, either directly or indirectly, from the cartridge or other fluidsource 440. In some embodiments, as discussed herein, contact betweenthe rollerball 444 and the skin surface and/or the drawing of liquidtoward the skin surface is facilitated by the activation of a vacuum orsuction force along the tip 420. For example, a peripheral lip 424 ofthe tip 420 can extend outwardly so as to contact skin tissue andcircumscribe an interior region of the tip during use. The lip 424 can,therefore, be used to create a complete or partial seal with the skinsurface being treated during use. Accordingly, in such configurations,once a vacuum or suction force is activated, skin located within aninterior of the peripheral lip 424 of the tip 420 can be at leastpartially drawn into toward the assembly to facilitate and/or enhancecontact between the rollerball 444 and the skin surface. Also, as notedherein, such embodiments that utilize suction can help deliver orenhance the delivery of fluids from the cartridge or other fluid source440 to the tip. Further, as discussed in greater detail herein, theperipheral lip 424 and/or any other member (e.g., one or more interiormembers or portion of the tip, such as, posts, other cylindricalmembers, spiral members, abrasive pads and/or the like) can be used toat least partially abrade skin tissue as the tip is moved relative to atargeted skin surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed in greater detail herein, the tipcan include one or more abrasive members or features 422. For example,such abrasive members or features 422 can comprise one or more sharpedges or surfaces, spiral members, posts, grit or other roughenedmembers or surfaces and/or the like. As noted above, for any of theembodiments disclosed herein or variations thereof, the peripheral lipcan be shaped and otherwise configured to abrade tissue. Additionaldetails regarding the various abrasive members or features that can beincorporated into the tip to help exfoliate a subject skin are providedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar. 29, 2006and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,048,089 on Nov. 1, 2011, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

Further, in any of the embodiments disclosed herein or variationsthereof, one or more materials can be positioned on, which, along and/ornear the tip. In some arrangements, such materials are positioned alonga cavity or similar retention member (e.g., an interior of a post orother interior member, another cavity or member along or near the tip,etc.), as desired or required. Such materials can be configured to atleast partially dissolve or otherwise be released in the presence ofwater, other liquid or fluid and/or another diluting agent. In someembodiments, such materials are stored in porous or absorptive membersand are configured to at least partially release from such members inthe presence of a liquid. Accordingly, in such configurations, thevarious serums and/or other treatment materials that are desired to bedelivered to a subject's skin surface for a particular treatmentprotocol can be embedded or otherwise located along or near the tip.Water, saline and/or another diluting agent can be advantageouslydelivered to the tip to selectively dilute and release the serums and/orother treatment materials to the subject skin. Additional detailsregarding positioning dissolvable or otherwise releasable materials onor near the tip of an assembly are provided in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar. 29, 2006, and issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,048,089 on Nov. 1, 2011, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/832,663, filed on Jul. 8, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,814,836on Aug. 26, 2014, the entireties of both of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

Another variation of an assembly 500 that comprises a rollerball 524 tofacilitate the delivery of fluids to a skin surface is illustrated inFIG. 5. As shown, the assembly 500 comprises a cartridge or other fluidsource 540 that is configured to be positioned within a correspondingrecess or area along the proximal end of a handpiece 510. In addition,as discussed herein with reference to other embodiments, a removable tip520 can be configured to be secured to the distal end of the handpiece510. In the depicted embodiment, the tip 520 comprises both a rollerball524 and an abrasive surface or structure 522. Thus, in such aconfiguration, moving the assembly 500 relative to a skin surface of asubject can assist with the delivery of fluids to the skin surface,while causing skin tissue to be abraded or exfoliated.

A side cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a skintreatment assembly 600 comprising a rollerball 624 is illustrated inFIG. 6A. As shown, the cartridge or other fluid source 640 can be sized,shaped and otherwise configured to be positioned within a recess orother opening of the handpiece 610. In the illustrated embodiment, therollerball 624 is positioned along a distal end of the cartridge 640.However, in other configurations, as discussed herein with reference toFIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the rollerball can be positioned on the handpiece orthe tip, as desired or required.

With continued reference to FIG. 6A, the cartridge 640 can include atapered portion 648 along its distal end. Such a tapered portion caninclude two or more vanes, baffles and/or other separation members 646that increase the surface area of the fluid channel or conduit of thecartridge 640 along the end of the cartridge near the rollerball 624.The vanes or baffles 646 can help maintain liquid contained within thecartridge 640 near the distal end of the cartridge 640. For example,such features can help retain liquids therein as a result of the surfacetension of the liquid. Accordingly, in some embodiments, at least avolume of liquid can be maintained at or near the distal end of thecartridge 640, and thus the rollerball 624. In some arrangements,therefore, a minimum volume of liquid and/or other material containedwithin the cartridge 640 can be positioned adjacent the rollerball 624to permit such liquid and/or other material to be selectively deliveredto the skin when the assembly 600 is moved relative to the subject'sskin surface. In some embodiments, for example, at least some volume ofliquid can be disposed at or near the distal end of the cartridgeregardless of the exact orientation of the assembly (e.g., when gravitytends to move the liquid away from the distal end of the cartridge).

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the cartridge 640 can be sized, shaped andconfigured to extend past the distal end of the handpiece 610. In someembodiments, the distal end of the cartridge 640 can extend partially orcompletely within and/or through a tip 620 that is secured to the distalend of the handpiece 610. In the illustrated embodiment, the rollerball624 extends past the distal end of the tip 624. However, in otherarrangements, the rollerball 624 is flush (or generally flush) with orrecessed relative to the distal end of the tip 624.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the tip 624 can comprise one or morevacuum or suction ports and passages 628 that place the distal end ofthe tip 624, and thus, the assembly 600, in fluid communication with avacuum source (not shown). The tip 624 can include one, two or moresuction ports and/or passages 628, as desired or required. The quantity,size, shape, orientation and/or other details about any suctionports/passages 628 included on a tip can vary, depending on theparticular design. As depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A,the suction ports and passages 628 can be configured to be fluidcommunication with one or more vacuum or suction conduits or passages Vof the handpiece 610. The vacuum or suction conduit(s) V can bepositioned within an interior portion of the handpiece 610, asillustrated in FIG. 6A. However, in other embodiments, the vacuum orsuction conduit(s) can be located along an exterior of the handpiece 610and/or any other portion of the assembly 600, as desired or required.

Regardless of the exact properties and details of the various componentsof an assembly's vacuum or suction system (including, e.g., the suctionports and/or passages 628, the suction conduit V and/or the like), onceactivated, the vacuum or suction system can be configured to generate,either intermittently or continuously, a vacuum force along the distalend of the tip 628. In some embodiments, such a vacuum force can helpdraw skin toward the tip 628, can facilitate with the delivery of fluidsfrom the cartridge or other container 640 toward the skin and/or provideother benefits.

Another embodiment of an assembly 600B is illustrated in FIG. 6B. Asshown, and similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the depicted assembly600B comprises a handpiece 610B that is configured to receive a tip 620Balong its distal end. In some embodiments, the tip 620B can be removablefrom the handpiece 610B. However, the tip can be permanently orsemi-permanently attached to the handpiece 610B (or can form a unitaryor monolithic structure with the handpiece 610B). Further, as with otherembodiments disclosed herein, a cartridge or other fluid source 640B canbe configured to be secured within a portion (e.g., recess, cavity,etc.) of the handpiece 610B.

With continued reference to FIG. 6B, the distal end of the cartridge640B can comprise one or more rollerballs 644B. In some embodiments,once properly secured to (e.g., within) the handpiece 610B, the distalend of the cartridge 640B and the rollerball 644B positioned on or nearthe distal end will extend to, near and/or through a central opening612B along the distal end of the handpiece 610B. Likewise, the tip 620Bcan comprise an opening to permit the rollerball 644B to at leastpartially contact a subject's skin surface when the assembly 600B ismoved relative to such a skin surface during use. For example, the tip620B can include a central opening that is aligned with the rollerball644B and provides direct access between the rollerball 644B and thedistal end of the tip. Thus, as with other assembly arrangementsdisclosed herein, once the assembly 600B is moved along a subject'sskin, the rollerball 644B can rotate to facilitate the delivery offluids and/or other materials from the cartridge 640B to the tip 620B.For example, the rollerball 644B can be in fluid communication with oneor more interior portions of the cartridge 640B.

According to some embodiments, the assembly 600B can be configured forthe delivery of a vacuum or suction force along the tip 620B. As shownin FIG. 6B, the handpiece 610B can comprise a suction conduit 619B thatextends from the exterior surface of the handpiece 610B and isconfigured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source V(not shown). In some embodiments, however, as discussed herein withreference to FIG. 6A, for example, the suction or vacuum conduit orother hydraulic components can be routed through an interior of thehandpiece 610B or other portion of the assembly 600B. For any of theembodiments disclosed herein or variations thereof, however, an assemblymay not be configured for placement in fluid communication with a vacuumor suction source.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a skin treatment assembly 700comprising a rollerball to facilitate the delivery of fluids from acartridge or other reservoir 740 to the tip 720 when the assembly 700 ismoved relative to a subject skin surface. As shown, the assembly 700 caninclude a waste container or compartment 760 that is configured toreceive any spent fluids and/or debris (e.g., exfoliated skin) that areremoved from the tip 720. For example, in some embodiments, the wastecontainer 760 can be in fluid communication with a vacuum or suctionsource to assist in drawing waste (e.g., spent fluids, exfoliated skin,other debris, etc.) away from the tip and the skin surface during atreatment procedure. Thus, as discussed with respect to otherembodiments illustrated and described herein, one or more suction ports,passages, conduits, valves and/or other hydraulic components can bepositioned between the tip and the waste container 760. In thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 7, the waste compartment is incorporated(e.g., removably) within the assembly 700. However, in other embodimentsthat include a suction or vacuum system, the waste can be delivered to acontainer, compartment or other collection point that is notincorporated within the assembly. For example, one or more vacuumconduits (e.g., tubing) can be used to deliver waste materials (e.g.,exfoliated skin, spent fluids, etc.) to a separate container.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a tip 820 that is configured for usewith one or more of the skin treatment assemblies disclosed herein orvariations thereof. As with other arrangements illustrated and describedherein, the tip 820 can include one or more rollerballs 824 that areconfigured to facilitate the delivery of fluids from a fluid source(e.g., a cartridge) to the tip and skin surface of the subject beingtreated when the assembly is moved relative to the subject's skin duringuse.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, the tip 820 can include a peripherallip 822 that defines an interior region. In some embodiments, the lip822 is sized, shaped and otherwise configured to contact the skinsurface during use (e.g., whereas an interior region of the tip definedby the lip 822 is generally recessed relative to the distal end of thelip). As shown, the tip 820 can include one or more posts, otherinterior members and/or other abrading members or structures 826 (e.g.,ridges, spiral-shaped members, other sharp surfaces, gritty or abrasivemembers, etc.) to help in the exfoliation of skin tissue as the tip ismoved relative to a subject's skin. In some embodiments, however, theperipheral lip 822 can be configured to exfoliate skin tissue as theassembly is moved relative to a subject's skin surface during use,either in addition to or in lieu of any abrasive structures or members826 positioned along an interior region of the tip 820.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, the tip can include one or morevacuum or suction ports 828 a, 828 b through which waste materials(e.g., spent fluids, exfoliated skin, other debris, etc.) can pass whenthe assembly's suction system is activated. The quantity, size, shape,spacing, orientation and/or other properties of the vacuum or suctionports 828 a, 828 b can be different than illustrated in FIG. 8, asdesired or required by a particular design or application.

Further, as discussed in greater detail herein, the clearance or spacingbetween the rollerball 824 and the adjacent base surface 827 of the tip820 can vary. For example, in some embodiments, such a clearance isabout 1/128 ^(th) to ½ inch. The rollerball 824 can be located within ahousing that permits the rollerball to freely rotate and prevent therollerball from being separated or otherwise removed from the tip duringuse. As noted herein, in some embodiments, the rollerball can beselectively removable from a particular housing of the tip, handpieceand/or cartridge (depending on which component of an assembly therollerball is secured) for replacement, cleaning, maintenance and/or thelike.

In any of the embodiments, disclosed herein, an assembly can includeone, two or more rollerballs to facilitate the delivery or transfer offluid from a cartridge, reservoir or other fluid source to the tip andthe skin surface of a subject. The rollerball can be positioned alongthe longitudinal centerline of the assembly; however, in somearrangements, the rollerball is offset from the longitudinal centerline,as desired or required. Further, the rollerball can include one or morematerials, such as, for example, metals or alloys (e.g., stainlesssteel, brass, titanium, etc.), thermoplastics and/or any other syntheticor natural material. The diameter (or other cross-sectional dimension)of the rollerball can be approximately ¼ inch to 2 inches. However, inother embodiments, the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension ofthe rollerball, wicking member and/or other member positioned along thedistal end of a handpiece can be smaller than ¼ inches or greater than 2inches, as desired or required.

According to some embodiments, the rollerball can include a solid (e.g.,non-porous) structure or a porous structure, as desired or required. Inany of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rollerball can include oneor more coatings or other materials. For example, the rollerball caninclude one or more layers of dissolvable materials that are configuredto dissolve and thus be released to the skin surface being treated inthe presence of water or another diluting agent. In some arrangements, arollerball comprises a porous structure that is at least partiallysaturated with one or more substances that are configured to be released(e.g., dissolve) during use. Such materials can be located, at leastinitially, within an interior portion of the rollerball. As discussedherein, the rollerball can be included in a system that is configured togenerate a vacuum or suction at or near the tip, thereby enhancing theeffect of using a rollerball or similar structure to engage targetedskin and/or delivery fluids to the skin surface. Further, the rollerballcan be positioned adjacent a wicking member, porous member and/or othermember that is configured to retain liquid. This can assist in ensuringthat the rollerball maintains a certain degree of moisture, regardlessof whether liquid would be otherwise immediately present at or near therollerball.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the rollerball and/orwicking member can comprise one or more abrasive and/or other roughenedor sharp surfaces or features. Such embodiments can facilitateexfoliation of skin as the handpiece is moved along a subject's skinsurface.

Another embodiment of a skin treatment assembly 900 comprising arollerball is illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Unlike other arrangementsdisclosed herein, the depicted assembly 900 includes a handpiece and atip that are integrated into a single unitary or monolithic structure910. In some embodiments, such a combined handpiece and tip can beconfigured to be disposable so it is replaced between uses. According tosome embodiments, the assembly 900 comprises a cartridge or other fluidsource 940 that is configured to secure to the combination handpiece/tip910.

With continued reference to FIG. 9B, the distal end 942 of the cartridge940 can include a rollerball 944 that is routed through an interiorportion of the combination handpiece/tip 910 when the cartridge 940 ispositioned therein. In some embodiments, the rollerball 944 extends toor near the distal end of the combination handpiece/tip 910 when theassembly 900 is ready for use. Accordingly, as the assembly 900 is movedrelative to a subject's skin surface, the rollerball can at leastpartially contact the skin surface being treated and rotate. Rotation ofthe rollerball 944 can facilitate the transfer of fluid and/or othercontents of the cartridge 940 to the distal end of the combinationhandpiece/tip 910, and thus, the skin surface.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the proximal end 945 of the cartridge 940can include a closure member 946 that sealingly encloses an interior ofthe cartridge 940. Thus, in some embodiments, the interior of thecartridge 940 can be opened, refilled and closed. However, in otherarrangements, the cartridge 940 is configured to remain sealed at alltimes. Thus, is such configurations, the cartridges are disposable afteruse. The above disclosure regarding cartridges that can be opened andcartridges that are configured to remain sealed can be applied to any ofthe assembly arrangements disclosed herein or variations thereof.

As discussed above with reference to other embodiments, the cartridge940 included in the assembly 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B can be re-usedbetween sequential treatment procedures. For example, once the subjecthas completed a particular treatment session, the subject can bepermitted to take home any used cartridge or cartridges (to the extenttwo or more different serums or other treatment materials were used).Thus, the subject can bring the unused cartridges to a subsequenttreatment session, thereby eliminating waste and reducing the overallexpense of a procedure. In some embodiments, the subject can beinstructed to apply one or more of the serums and/or other materialscontained within the corresponding unused cartridges 940 to his or herskin between office visits. Accordingly, in order to preventcontamination of the cartridges and their internal contents, to preventevaporation, leaks or other loss of the internal contents of thecartridges, to otherwise protect the cartridges (e.g., the rollerball944 located along the cartridge's distal end) and/or to provide one ormore additional benefits or advantages, a cap 950 can be used to protectthe distal end 942 of a cartridge between uses. The rollerball 944 canfacilitate the application of fluid to the subject's skin surfacebetween office visits. For example, the use of a rollerball canadvantageously permit fluid to be delivered from the interior of thecartridge 940 to the subject's skin surface without the use of suctionor a handpiece. Thus, the overall effectiveness of a skin treatmentprocedure can be advantageously enhanced by such embodiments.

In some embodiments related to the treatment of acne, for example, twomain serums or materials can be used during a treatment procedure. Thus,during a first visit to a professional, the subject undergoes a two-steptreatment procedure in which an acidic formulation (e.g., salicylicacid) is first applied to the subject's skin surface (e.g., with orwithout the application of vacuum) to remove impurities and clear outthe subject's pores. As a follow-up step, an antibiotic or othertreatment serum is applied to the skin. In some embodiments, asdiscussed herein, the user is then provided with cartridges or otherfluid containers. Such cartridges can be advantageously returned to theprofessional for conducting a follow-up procedure during a subsequentvisit. In addition, the subject can be instructed, in accordance withcertain protocols, to periodically apply one or more of these serums orfluids to his or her skin between visits, as desired or required.

As noted above, the combination handpiece/tip 910 included in theassembly of FIGS. 9A and 9B can be disposable between uses or sequentialprocedures. Thus, the use of such a disposable portion can reduce thelikelihood of the transfer of contamination between subjects and/orprocedures, thereby improving the overall hygiene and safety of skintreatment procedures.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the combinationhandpiece/tip 910 can include a suction port or conduit 918 that isconfigured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source. Inthe illustrated embodiment, suction port 918 extends along an exteriorof the handpiece/tip component 910 (e.g., at an angle); however, inother arrangements, the suction port or conduit 918 can extend, at leastpartially or completely, within an interior of the assembly 900, asdesired or required. In yet other embodiments, the assembly 900 is notconfigured to be placed in fluid communication with a suction or vacuumsource. Accordingly, in such arrangements, the assembly need not haveany suction or vacuum ports, passages, conduits and/or other relatedcomponents or features.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including those illustratedin FIGS. 1-9B, the rollerball or similar feature along the distal end ofa cartridge, handpiece and/or tip can be replaced with one or more otherfeatures that to help to selectively deliver fluid to the skin surfacebeing treated (e.g., from a reservoir of a cartridge or other containerplaced in fluid communication with the system). For example, asillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the rollerball can be replacedwith a wicking or other fluidly porous member 1044 along its distal end.

With reference to FIG. 10, the distal end 1042 of the cartridge 1040 caninclude a wicking member or other porous member 1044. In someembodiments, the rollerball 944 extends to or near the distal end of thecombination handpiece/tip when the assembly is ready for use.Accordingly, as the assembly is moved relative to a subject's skinsurface, the wicking member 1044 can at least partially contact the skinsurface being treated and deliver fluid from the fluid reservoir of thecartridge or other container 1040 to the skin surface. The wickingmember 1044 can comprise one or more porous materials or features, suchas, for example, foam, a porous stone, sponge or other member, anothermaterial or member comprising a porous or otherwise open or semi-openstructure. In some embodiments, the wicking or other porous member 1044can be saturated with the particular fluids contained within thereservoir of the cartridge or other container member. Thus, the wickingmember 1044 can retain the necessary moisture level to selectivelydeliver fluid to the skin surface treated, even when the level of fluidwithin the cartridge or the other container 1040 is relatively low.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the wicking member 1044 cancomprise one or more foams, thermoplastics and/or other materials. Thecross-sectional size of the wicking member can be between ¼ inch and 2inches. In some embodiments, the wicking member 1044 extends, at leastpartially, within the interior reservoir of the cartridge or othercontainer. The wicking member 1044 can include any cross-sectionalshape, as desired or required, such as, for example, circular, oval,square or other rectangular, other polygonal (e.g., triangular,pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, etc.), irregular.

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a skin treatment system 1000 similarto the system depicted in FIG. 10. As shown, the system 1000 can includea cartridge or other container 1040 comprising a wicking or other porousstructure 1044 along its distal end. The wicking or other porousstructure can include one or more materials that are configured to atleast partially absorb, adsorb and/or otherwise retain a volume ofliquid or other material. As discussed herein, according to someembodiments, such a wicking structure 1044 can be used to keep thedistal end of the cartridge 1040 at least partially moist for purposesof delivering fluids and/or other materials to the skin surface of asubject during a particular procedure.

According to some embodiments, the wicking or other porous structure1044 incorporated into any of the embodiments herein (e.g., the distalend of a cartridge or other container, the handpiece, the tip, etc.) canbe used for one or more purposes. For example, in some embodiments, thewicking material can be used to perform one or more of the followingfunctions: (i) to store one or more materials within a portion of a skintreatment assembly (e.g., along a distal end of a cartridge, along a tipof an assembly, along a handpiece, etc.); (ii) as a filter (e.g., forwaste debris leaving the skin surface being treated); (iii) fordelivering fluids and/or other materials to the skin surface beingtreated; and/or the like. For example, in one embodiment, a wicking orother porous material 1044 can include a treatment material (e.g., as aliquid, gel, powder, etc.). Water or another dilution agent can then bedelivered to or near the wicking or porous member 1040 to selectivelyrelease the materials stored within the wicking or other porous member.

According to some embodiments, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 12,a rollerball or other movable member 1146 can be positioned along thedistal end of a wicking or other porous member or structure 1144. Insuch a system 1100, the wicking member 1144 and rollerball 1146 can bepositioned along the distal end of a cartridge 1140. Alternatively, aswith other configurations disclosed herein, the wicking member 1144and/or the rollerball 1146 (or combination thereof) can be located alongthe handpiece, the tip and/or any other location of the skin treatmentassembly. In such embodiments, the rollerball 1146 can be kept in fluidcommunication with the fluid contained within the cartridge or othercontainer with the assistance of the wicking member or structure. Inother words, the proximal end of the rollerball can be advantageouslymaintained moist with the assistance of the wicking material. Thus, forexample, if the handpiece is being handled such that the liquid would beaway from the rollerball 1146, the wicking or porous member helps toensure that a certain degree of liquidity or moisture is maintainedadjacent the rollerball or other movable member. This can help promote amore consistent application of liquid to the skin surface.

FIG. 13A illustrates schematically a tip 1200 that is configured to bepositioned along the distal end of a skin treatment system. As shown anddiscussed in greater detail in one or more applications incorporated byreference herein, the tip 1200 can include a peripheral lip 1222 that isconfigured to contact skin tissue and form a seal during use (e.g., tohelp deliver fluids to the skin surface upon the application of vacuumor suction to the assembly). With continued reference to FIG. 13A, thetip 1200 can also include a recessed base 1224 from which one or moreabrading members or structures 1226 extend. For example, such abradingmembers or structures can include one or more posts, spiral ridgesand/or the like. Regardless of their exact shape, structure and/or otherproperties, such abrading members or structures 1226 can include a sharpor abrading edge or structure to facilitating the abrasion of skintissue during use.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 13B to 13D, one or more wicking orporous structures or members 1250 can be advantageously positionedalong, near or within a portion of the tip 1200. Such wicking or porousmembers 1250A, 1250B, 1250C can include within their structures one ormore materials that are intended to be released to the skin surfaceduring use (e.g., when a dilution agent is delivered to the tip). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 13B, the wicking or porous member 1250A can bepositioned along one or more posts or other protruding members 1226 ofthe tip. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13C, the wicking orporous member can be positioned along the underside of the base 1224,but can still be in fluid communication with a dilution agent (e.g.,water) that is selectively delivered to the tip. In such arrangements,the wicking member 1250B can comprise a disk or other component thatfits within or other portion of the tip (e.g. friction fit, using one orother fasteners or other retaining members, etc.). In yet otherembodiments, as shown in FIG. 13D, the wicking member 1250C can bepositioned along one or more recesses of the base 1224 and/or otherportion of the tip 1200.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a skin treatment assembly 1300that comprises a unitary structure 1340 along its proximal end that isconfigured to releasably secure to a proximal handpiece portion 1310. Insome embodiments, such a unitary structure 1340 comprises one or morecompartments or portions. For example, one compartment or portion of thestructure 1340 can be used to store a fluid or other treatment materialthat is intended to be selectively delivered to a skin surface via thehandpiece 1310 and the distal tip 1320. Further in some embodiments, thestructure 1340 can include one or more additional compartments orportion. In one embodiment, for instance, such an additional compartmentcan include a waste compartment that is configured to receive spendfluids, abraded skin and/or other debris removed from the skin surfacebeing treated. Additional details regarding such assemblies are providedin U.S. Pat. No. 8,343,116, filed as U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/346,582 on Dec. 30, 2008 and issued on Jan. 1, 2013.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates one embodiment of an assembly similarto the one discussed herein with reference to FIG. 14. As shown, in someembodiments, a wicking materials or other porous structure 1349 can bepositioned along the interior of the waste compartment 1346 of a unitarystructure 1340. The wicking or other porous structure can help absorbthe waste materials within its structure to facilitate the use of ahandheld device, especially one (like in FIG. 14) that incorporates awaste structure at its proximal end. In other words, the wickingmaterial 1349 can help ensure that the waste fluids and/or other wastematerials do not disadvantageously move within the compartment 1346during use. In addition, such a configuration can assist with theremoval and/or disposal of the waste contents from the wastecompartment. For example, in some embodiments, the wicking and/or otherporous member can be easily removed and discarded without having to dealwith loose fluids.

In some embodiments, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 15, ahydrophobic member 1343, 1347 can be advantageously placed along aportion of the fluid retention compartment 1342 and/or the wastecompartment 1346 to facilitate the passage of air into and/or out of thecompartments 1342, 1346 during use. For example, such members 1343, 1347can act as one way valves that permit air to pass therethrough (e.g., toprevent or reduce the likelihood of vacuum forces from forming withinthe respective compartments), while not allowing liquids and/or othermaterials from passing.

According to some embodiments, the various systems disclosed herein canbe used to treat one or more skin conditions of a subject. For example,the systems can be used to target the following conditions/targettreatments: acne, skin lightening, skin tightening, anti-aging, oilyskin, lip repair/plumping and/or the like. Example treatment protocolsfor at least some of the conditions/target treatments are providedbelow. For example, in some arrangements, protocols identical or similarto those provided in Table A below can be used.

TABLE A Step 1 Fluid Active Step 2 Fluid Active Step 3/4 Fluid activeProtocol/Procedure Ingredients Ingredients ingredients AcnePreparatory/Exfoliating Treatment agent A treatment agent with salicylicacid (e.g., anti-oxidants, agent consisting or other agent that willsilver, in of oil free breakdown oils and dead combination withmoisturizing tissues on the surface one or more agents agents combinedlayers of the skin such as benzyl or applied peroxide, Salicylicseparately with acid or sulfur. agents to block UV rays and otheroxidizing elements. Skin lightening Preparatory/Exfoliating A treatmentagent A treatment agent with salicylic acid consisting of but not agentconsisting or other agent that will limited to, avena of moisturizingbreakdown oils and dead sativa (oat) kernel agents combined tissues onthe surface extract, Palmaria or applied layers of the skin palmatate,separately with horsechest nut and agents to block green tea extract. UVrays and other oxidizing elements. Skin tighteningPreparatory/Exfoliating A treatment agent A treatment agent withsalicylic acid consisting of but not agent consisting or other agentthat will limited to, avena of moisturizing breakdown oils and deadsativa (oat) kernel agents combined tissues on the surface extract,Palmaria or applied layers of the skin. palmatate, separately withhorsechest nut and agents to block green tea extract. UV rays and otheroxidizing elements. Anti-aging Preparatory/Exfoliating A treatment agentA treatment agent with salicylic acid consisting of but not agentconsisting or other agent that will limited to of moisturizing breakdownoils and dead transdermal agents combined tissues on the surfaceapplication of or applied layers of the skin. antioxidants, suchseparately with as but not limited agents to block to, lipoic acid UVrays and bioflavonoid, other oxidizing (aesculus elements.hippocastanum) horse chestnut, proanthocyanidin and a mixture of aminoacids combined with sulfur and or benzyl alcohol or other penetrantenhancers. Oily skin Preparatory/Exfoliating Treatment agent A treatmentagent with salicylic acid (e.g., anti-oxidants, agent consisting orother agent that will silver, in of oil free breakdown oils and deadcombination with moisturizing tissues on the surface one or more agentsagents combined layers of the skin such as benzyl or applied peroxide,Salicylic separately with acid or sulfur. agents to block UV rays andother oxidizing elements. Lip Repair/Plumping Preparatory/ExfoliatingTreatment agent A treatment agent with salicylic acid (e.g.,anti-oxidants agent consisting or other agent that will and collagen ofmoisturizing breakdown oils and dead building agents combined tissues onthe surface Ingredients such as or applied layers of the skin butlimited to amino separately with acids such as agents to block palmitoyldipeptide- UV rays and 10, palmitoyyl other oxidizing dipeptide-1,7,elements. palitoyl hexipeptide-12. Anti-oxidant/growthPreparatory/Exfoliating Apply Epicatechin Antioxidant(s) factortreatment agent with salicylic acid (e.g., synthetic and/or other orother agent that will and/or naturally agents. breakdown oils and deadderived) and/or In some tissues on the surface other growth embodiments,layers of the skin factor(s). the process can In some include theembodiments, allow application of sufficient time to additional drybefore agents, such as, continuing to the e.g., next step. In somesunscreen(s), as a arrangements, follow up step. Epicaeichin could Inone be in a powder form embodiment, the that needs to be sunscreen canbe mixed just prior to 30SPF or greater application

According to some embodiments, with reference to the Epicatechintreatment listed above can be included in a take home unit, as describedin greater detail herein. In some embodiments, the Epicatechin productis applied daily morning and/or night. The Epicatechin could be providedin the form of a lotion, cream or serum, wax lipstick delivery mediumand/or the like. In some embodiments, antioxidant product(s) is/areapplied daily morning and/or night. Like the Epicatechin product,antioxidants could be provide as a lotion, cream or serum, wax lipstickdelivery medium and/or the like, as desired or required.

For example, as indicated in Table A above, in some embodiments, theinitial step of a treatment protocol comprises one or more preparatorysteps or procedures. For example, in some arrangements, the subject'sskin is initially exfoliated, at least partially, regardless of theexact protocol being used. In some configurations, salicylic acid orother agent that will breakdown oils and dead skin tissue on the surfacelayers of the subject's skin can be selectively delivered to the skin ofa subject. The delivery of such preparatory fluids can be performedusing a device disclosed herein (e.g., a vacuum-assisted assembly).Alternatively, such materials can be delivered to the skin surface usingone or more other methods or devices (e.g., topically applied withoutthe use of separate device). In some embodiments, the delivery of fluidswhile suction is applied to the skin (e.g., via a suction-enabledassembly) can facilitate the delivery of fluids below the outermostsurface of the skin to thereby enhance the initial preparatory step of aprocedure or protocol.

With further reference to Table A, as a second step to a treatmentprocedure, a first treatment agents or combination of treatment agents(e.g., anti-oxidants, silver, benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur,avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, palmaria palmatate, horsechest nut,green tea extract, lipoic acid bioflavonoid, (aesculus hippocastanum)horse chestnut, proanthocyanidin and a mixture of amino acids combinedwith sulfur and or benzyl alcohol or other penetrant enhancers and/orthe like can be delivered to the skin via the rollerball, wincingmaterial and/or the like.

Further, with continued reference to Table A, as a third step to atreatment procedure, a second treatment agents or combination oftreatment agents (e.g., anti-oxidants, silver, benzyl peroxide,salicylic acid, sulfur, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, palmariapalmatate, horsechest nut, green tea extract, lipoic acid bioflavonoid,(aesculus hippocastanum) horse chestnut, proanthocyanidin and a mixtureof amino acids combined with sulfur and or benzyl alcohol or otherpenetrant enhancers and/or the like can be delivered to the skin via therollerball, wincing material and/or the like.

FIGS. 16 and 18 schematically illustrate different embodiments of asystem having a handpiece or other skin treatment component configuredto contact skin along one end. As discussed herein, such a handpiece orother component can comprises a rollerball, wicking members and/or thelike. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, a conduit (e.g., vacuum tubing) canbe used to place the handpiece or other treatment component in fluidcommunication with a vacuum source (e.g., a vacuum unit). In someembodiments, one or more both ends of the conduit can include a sensorto ensure that a satisfactory connection is made with the handpiece andthe vacuum source before the system can be activated. One or more wires,conduits, cables and/or other electrical connections can be included inthe system to facilitate the necessary connection to the sensor(s)and/or other electrical components. In other embodiments, the necessaryelectrical and/or data connections are wireless (e.g., Bluetooth).Regardless of the exact configuration, such handpiece sensing featurescan permit the system to operate when the electrical and/or date circuitis completed.

FIG. 17A and 17B illustrates different embodiments of systems thatcomprise a cartridge assembly that is configured to at least partiallyabsorb and/or otherwise retain waste material being removed from theskin (e.g., spent serums and/or other treatment materials, exfoliatedskin, other debris, etc.). For example, in one embodiment, a cartridgeassembly that is in fluid communication with a vacuum source, asdepicted in FIG. 17B, can be sized, shaped and/or otherwise configuredto receive a removable solid cleaning cartridge. Such a removablecartridge can be advantageously removed, discarded and replaced, therebyreducing exposure of waste materials during routine maintenance,cleaning and/or other normal operation of the system. As shown, thereceptacle into which the solid cleaning cartridge is placed can includea central conduit having a plurality of openings, pores and/or the likethat place the central conduit in fluid communication with the removablecartridge. In some embodiments, as discussed in greater detail herein,such a cartridge can comprise a porous, wicking, absorptive and/or othermaterial configured to at least partially receive and/or retain fluidsand/or other materials.

FIG. 18 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a system thatcomprises sensors along both the handpiece and the vacuum source toensure proper connection of conduits of the system. In somearrangements, the sensors can help identify the components that are usedin the system. This can provide a level of security that the componentsare intended to be used with one another, and that no unintendedcomponents that can interfere with the proper function of the system areincluded in a particular arrangement.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate different views of yet another embodimentof a skin treatment assembly 2000 comprising a rollerball (and/oranother porous, wicking, other absorbent material or member, and/or thelike) 2044 along its distal end 2042. As with other embodimentsdisclosed herein, the rollerball or other member positioned along thedistal end 2044 can facilitate delivery of fluids and/or other materialsto a subject being treated with the assembly 2000. In some embodiments,as illustrated in FIG. 19A, the assembly 2000 can include a cartridge orother container 2040. Further, the distal end 2010 of the assembly 2000can include a handpiece portion 2110 that is sized, shaped and/orotherwise adapted to secure to the distal end of the cartridge 2040.

With continued reference to FIG. 19A, the handpiece portion 2110 can beconfigured to fit over the distal end of the cartridge or othercontainer 2040 such that a rollerball or other member (e.g., wickingmember, porous member, absorptive member, etc.) 2040 located along thedistal end of the container 2040 can extend to the distal end of theassembly 2000. For example, in some embodiments, such a rollerball orother member 2044 can form the most distal surface of the assembly oncethe handpiece portion 2110 is secured to the cartridge or othercontainer 2040. In other embodiments, however, the distal end of therollerball or other member that is configured to facilitate delivery offluid(s) to the skin surface of a subject is aligned with, generallyaligned with or proximal to another portion of the handpiece assembly2110 and/or another portion or component of the assembly 2000, asdesired or required. Thus, in some configurations, the assembly 2000relies, at least in part, on suction or vacuum created along the distalend of the assembly to draw the targeted skin surface toward (e.g.,adjacent to, in contact with, etc.) the rollerball and/or other distalmember 2044, as desired or required.

As discussed with respect to other embodiments herein, the use of vacuumor suction to help draw the tissue toward the rollerball or other distalmember (e.g., wicking member, porous member, absorptive member, etc.)can help enhance a skin treatment procedure. For example, the ability toselectively delivery fluids and/or other substances or materials (e.g.,included within the cartridge or other container that is physicallycoupled to and/or in fluid communication with a container, e.g., amulti-container manifold system) can be improved and/or otherwiseenhanced by the use of suction or vacuum. For example, the applicationof a vacuum or suction force along the tip can help deliver fluidsand/or other substances to the skin surface being treated at acontrolled rate of delivery. This can be contrasted with embodimentsthat rely only on gravity to deliver fluids and/or other materials tothe skin surface. The use of a vacuum or suction force (e.g., once aseal has been created between a distal lip or periphery of a tip orother distal portion of an assembly, in accordance with variousembodiments disclosed herein), can help ensure that fluid and/or othermaterials contained within a container (e.g., cartridge) and/or otherfluid system with which the assembly 2000 is in fluid communication(e.g., a manifold system) is consistently and adequately delivered tothe targeted skin surface. This is applicable to and may be specificallyadapted for any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 19A, the handpiece portion 2110 of theassembly 2000 can include a port 2112 that is adapted to be coupled to avacuum or suction source. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 19A, thesuction port 2112 can be positioned, at least partially, along anexterior of the assembly. However, in other embodiments, the port 2112and/or corresponding passage (e.g., conduit) to with which the port isplaced in fluid communication can extend, at least partially, along aninterior of the assembly. For example, in some arrangements, the portand/or the corresponding passage can extend, at least in part, along theinterior of the assembly, as desired or required.

As discussed with reference to other embodiments herein, the distal endof the assembly 2000 (e.g., the distal end of the handpiece portion2110, the cartridge or other container 2040, a separate tip and/or anyother component or portion) can include a peripheral lip or edge that isconfigured to contact the subject's skin. In some embodiments, such alip and/or other periphery can help establish a seal with the adjacenttissue surface to ensure that, when a vacuum or suction source isactivated, the targeted skin surface is engaged by the lip and/or otherperiphery. In some arrangements, this facilitates the delivery of fluidsto the tip and removal of spend fluids and/or other debris (e.g.,exfoliated skin) away from the tip.

FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate different longitudinal cross-sectionalviews of the assembly depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B. As shown, thedistal end of the container (e.g., a cartridge, a handpiece assembly, atip, etc.) that includes the rollerball or other fluid delivery member(e.g., absorptive member, a wicking member, etc.) 2044. As shown, thedistal end 2042 of the assembly 2000 can be tapered and/or otherwiseinclude a reduced diameter or cross-sectional dimension, as desired orrequired. For example, in some embodiments, the distal end 2010 of theassembly 2000 along or near which the rollerball or other fluid deliverymember (e.g., absorptive member, a wicking member, etc.) 2044 ispositioned or otherwise located can include a diameter or othercross-sectional dimension that is 20% to 70% (e.g., 20-30, 30-40, 40-50,50-60, 60-70%, ranges between the foregoing, etc.) smaller than adjacentportions of the assembly.

With continued reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the assembly 2000 cancomprise a distal end 2010 that includes a tapered portion 2042. Asshown, a rollerball or other fluid delivery member 2044 can bepositioned along the distal end of the tapered portion 2042 and/or otherportion of the distal end of the assembly 2000, as desired or required.As with other embodiment disclosed herein, the rollerball or other fluiddelivery member 2044 can be in fluid communication with a main portionof the reservoir or compartment that contains fluid via one or morepassageways 2048 along the tapered distal end 2042. In someconfigurations, the rollerball and/or other member (e.g., wickingmember, porous member, etc.) 2062 can be resiliently biased distallyusing one or more springs and/or other resilient members or portions2050. Such a configuration can be implemented in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein or variations thereof.

Thus, according to some embodiments, the rollerball or other member 2044is resiliently biased in a distal orientation. In such configurations,the rollerball or other fluid delivery member 2044 is normallyconfigured to form a seal 2062. As a result, in such a configuration,fluids and/or other materials (e.g., contained within a cartridge and/orotherwise in fluid communication with the rollerball or the fluiddelivery member 2044) are prevented from exiting past the rollerball orother fluid delivery member 2044. In some embodiments, pressing orotherwise moving the rollerball and/or other fluid delivery member 2044(e.g., wicking member, porous member, etc.) inwardly (e.g., against theforce created by the spring 2050 or other biasing or resilient member)can create clearance between the rollerball or other member 2044 and theadjacent housing, thereby allowing fluid to flow around the rollerballor other member toward the distal end of the assembly 2000.

In some embodiments, however, if sufficient force is imparted upon therollerball or other assembly 2044, the rollerball or other assembly 2044can abut against a distal surface 2064 of the housing and/or otherportion of the assembly to prevent further fluids and/or other materialsfrom exiting toward the distal end of the assembly. Thus, in someembodiments, one or more resilient members (e.g., springs) 2050 can helpregulate the passage of fluid from a reservoir (e.g., from within acartridge or other portion of the assembly) to the tip of the assembly2000, as desired or required. In some embodiments, the force that isapplied against the spring or other resilient member 2050 regulates theamount of flow (e.g., flowrate) that moves past the rollerball and/oranother fluid delivery member 2044 located along eth distal end of theassembly 2000. Such a configuration can be applied to any of theembodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, moving the rollerballand/or any other distal member 2044 too far against the biasing forcemay cause the rollerball or the member to seat against a proximalportion 2064 that will once again prevent flow from to the distal end ofthe assembly. Thus, in some embodiments, there exists a range withinwhich the rollerball or other resiliently-biased member 2044 can bemoved in order to regulate flow to the distal end of the assembly 2000.

For any of the embodiments disclosed herein, a cartridge or other fluidsource configured to be used in an assembly (e.g., to couple to ahandpiece), the cartridge can include two or more compartments that arefluidly isolated from one another. For example, in some arrangements, acartridge includes two or three chambers, each of which is configured tostore a different serum and/or treatment material to be used during aspecific treatment procedure. In some embodiments, such amulti-compartment cartridge or other fluid source is separated by walls,baffles or other members or features. In some embodiments, a user canchoose between the various compartments of the cartridge (and thus, thevarious serums and/or other materials to be delivered to the subject'sskin surface) using one or more selection features, methods or devices.For example, the cartridge, handpiece, tip and/or other portion of theassembly can include one or more controllers (e.g., switches, levers,knobs, etc.) that permit a user to select the specific compartment ofthe cartridge from which fluids and/or other materials will betransferred to the subject's skin. In other embodiments, the orientationof the cartridge within the handpiece dictates which compartment will bein fluid communication with the assembly's internal passages and thetip. For example, the rotational or angular orientation of the cartridgerelative to the handpiece can determine which compartment of thecartridge will be accessed by the rollerball.

In any of the assembly embodiments disclosed herein or variationsthereof, the tip can be placed in fluid communication with a fluidmanifold system. Thus, one or more fluids from such a manifold system orstation can be selectively delivered to the assembly. Accordingly, insome embodiments, a dummy cartridge or a simple fluid conduit can beused (e.g. instead of a filled cartridge) to interface with such amanifold system or station.

According to certain embodiments, a cartridge or other container isplaced in fluid communication with a manifold system that may comprise aplurality of individual fluid conduits. In turn, one or more of thesefluid conduits can be in fluid communication with a separate container.For example, in some embodiments, such fluid conduits can be in fluidcommunication with containers of a tower system. In one embodiment, theindividual fluid lines are in fluid communication with a main fluidconduit, which connects to a nozzle along a proximal end of a cartridgeor other container secured within the handpiece. One or more of thefluid conduits can comprise a valve or other flow control device orfeature to selectively regulate the transfer of fluids and/or othermaterials to the assembly. In the some arrangements, the manifold systemcomprises a total of four fluid branches. However, a system can comprisemore or fewer fluid branches (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, more than 8,etc.), as desired or required by a particular application or use.Additional details regarding a manifold system or tower are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar. 29, 2006 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,048,089 on Nov. 1, 2011, and PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US2014/024992, filed on Mar. 12, 2014 and published as WO2014/151104 on Sep. 25, 2014, the entireties of both of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The systems, apparatuses, devices and/or other articles disclosed hereinmay be formed through any suitable means. The various methods andtechniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out theinventions. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily allobjectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance withany particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the methods may be performed in amanner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantagesas taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives oradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Although several embodiments and examples are disclosed herein, thepresent application extends beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of theinventions and modifications and equivalents thereof. It is alsocontemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of thespecific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and stillfall within the scope of the inventions. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments can be combine with or substituted for one another in orderto form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intendedthat the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not belimited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, butshould be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

While the embodiments disclosed herein are susceptible to variousmodifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof havebeen shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the inventions are not to be limited to theparticular forms or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, theinventions are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments describedand the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not beperformed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein includecertain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also includeany third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or byimplication. For example, actions such as “providing” include“instructing providing.” The ranges disclosed herein also encompass anyand all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as“up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and thelike includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as“about” or “approximately” include the recited numbers. For example,“about 10 mm” includes “10 mm.” Terms or phrases preceded by a term suchas “substantially” include the recited term or phrase. For example,“substantially parallel” includes “parallel.”

1. (canceled)
 2. A skin treatment system comprising: a handpieceassembly comprising a tip, the handpiece assembly comprising a suctionport extending along an exterior of the handpiece assembly; a cartridgeconfigured to releasably secure to the handpiece assembly, the cartridgecomprising an interior chamber configured to contain a treatment fluid;a rollerball positioned along a distal end of the cartridge, wherein therollerball is configured to be in fluid communication with the interiorof the cartridge; and a vacuum source; wherein the cartridge isconfigured to be positioned through an interior portion of the handpieceassembly such that the rollerball extends to or near a distal end of thehandpiece assembly when the cartridge is secured to the handpieceassembly and when the system is ready for use; wherein the rollerball isconfigured to rotate to facilitate a transfer of the treatment fluidfrom the interior chamber of the cartridge to the rollerball; andwherein the suction port is configured to secure to the vacuum source.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the tip is monolithically formed withthe handpiece assembly.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridgeis configured to be separated from the handpiece assembly and providedto a subject being treated to permit the subject to apply the treatmentfluid to skin tissue.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridge isdisposable.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is reusable.7. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is configured to beselectively opened to access to the interior chamber.
 8. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the cartridge is configured to remain sealed at alltimes.
 9. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridge is configured tocontain an acid, the system is configured to be used to removeimpurities from a subject's pores when the cartridge is secured to thehandpiece assembly and when a vacuum is applied to the suction port. 10.The system of claim 2, further comprising a cap configured to bepositioned along the distal end of the cartridge between uses of thecartridge.
 11. The system of claim 2, wherein the cartridge isconfigured to help maintain the treatment fluid within the interiorchamber immediately adjacent the rollerball.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein one or more vanes are positioned adjacent the rollerball to helpmaintain the treatment fluid immediately adjacent the rollerball. 13.The system of claim 11, wherein a wicking or other porous member ispositioned adjacent the rollerball to help maintain the treatment fluidimmediately adjacent the rollerball.
 14. A skin treatment systemcomprising: a handpiece assembly comprising a tip, the handpieceassembly comprising a suction port extending along an exterior of thehandpiece assembly; a cartridge configured to releasably secure to thehandpiece assembly, the cartridge comprising an interior chamberconfigured to contain a treatment fluid; a rollerball positioned along adistal end of the cartridge, wherein the rollerball is configured to bein fluid communication with the interior of the cartridge; and whereinthe cartridge is configured to be positioned through an interior portionof the handpiece assembly such that the rollerball extends to or near adistal end of the handpiece assembly when the cartridge is secured tothe handpiece assembly and when the system is ready for use; and whereinthe suction port is configured to secure to a vacuum source.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the tip is monolithically formed with thehandpiece assembly.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the cartridge isconfigured to be separated from the handpiece assembly and provided to asubject being treated to permit the subject to apply the treatment fluidto skin tissue.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the cartridge isdisposable or reusable.
 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising acap configured to be positioned along the distal end of the cartridgebetween uses of the cartridge.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein thecartridge is configured to help maintain the treatment fluid within theinterior chamber immediately adjacent the rollerball.
 20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein one or more vanes are positioned adjacent therollerball to help maintain the treatment fluid immediately adjacent therollerball.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein a wicking or otherporous member is positioned adjacent the rollerball to help maintain thetreatment fluid immediately adjacent the rollerball.